Garment blocker



' Oct. 18, 1949. CQNEY ETAL 2,484,808

GARMENT BLOCKER FIE?) INVEN TORS. JAMES. D. CONEY.

CARL B. ALBERT, @LW, 8 ATTORNE' Oct 18, 1949. J, C'QNEY ETAL 2,484,808

GARMENT BLOCKER Filed Dec. 12, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.

JAMES 0. CONEY.

CARL s. LBERT.

BY (I ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 18, 1949 GARMENT BLOCKER James D. Coney, Chicago, Ill., and Carl B. Albert, Milwaukee, Wis.; said Coney assignor to said Albert Application December 12, 1945, Serial No. 634,429

4 Claims.

This invention relates to garment blockers and more particularly improved adjustable blocking devices for knit and other garments and accessories such as sweaters, skirts, trousers, gloves, stockings, and the like, although the teachings thereof may be applied with equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of an inexpensive garment blocker having improved simplified means for rendering such adjustable and maintaining the elements thereof in adjusted relation to the desired size and shape of the garments to be blocked or dried thereon.

These garments are normally of varied style and size to conform with the dimensional and shape characteristics of different individuals. To this end, the blocker is adjustable to different shapes and sizes and possesses self-expansible features to conform with the initial shape of the garment. The adjustable and the self-expanding characteristics conform with specifically shaped and sized garments in order to block such to assume their initial size and shape.

Numerous types of garment blockers have heretofore been proposed, but these have proven comparatively expensive and are not available for general distribution through cleaning establishments, laundries, and also other service institutions where the blocker should comprise a component element of the garment prior to the actual use thereof. This does not necessarily mean that garment blockers embodying the features of the present invention need be distributed by such institutions without charge but the cost thereof will be minimized to the extent of enabling the general adaptation thereof by service institutions such as cleaning establishments and. laundries to provide such at nominal expense to insure the proper shape and storage of the garment until actually worn.

The present invention embodies adjustable and self-expanding features which do not involve such production operations that would impair the noncorroding finish with which the initial wire may be treated. In consequence thereof, garment hangers embodying the features of the present invention may be formed from standard galvanized wire, preferably though not essentially, number eleven gauge which is comparatively light, inexpensive, and suitable for garment blockers utilizable for service institutions.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved adjustable garment blocker of simple and inexpensive construction.

Another object is to provide a garment blocker 2 having the component elements thereof adjustable to meet different styled and sized garment characteristics.

Still another object is to provide garment blockers possessing self-expanding and size adjusting expedients to conform to different styles and shapes of garments and accessories.

A further object is to provide adjustable garment blockers that can be shaped from galvanized or other non-corroding wire without production impairment to the finish thereon.

A still further object is to provide adjustable garment blockers entirely shaped from wire without requiring anything other than wire working operations.

Still a further object is to provide inexpensive adjustable and self-expanding garment blockers embodying Wire elements throughout affording adjustment in size and shape.

Other objects and advantages Will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front View in elevation of a garment blocker embodying features of the present invention, it serving most effectively for the upper half or waist portion of a garment.

Figure 2 is a front view in elevation of a garment blocker embodying features of the present invention, it serving most effectively for the lower half or skirt portion of a garment.

Figure 3 is a front view in elevation of a garment blocker embodying features of the present invention, it serving most effectively as a trouser blocker and drier.

Figure 4 is a front view in elevation of a garment blocker embodying features of the present invention, it serving most effectively for the blocking, shaping and drying of gloves constituting a garment accessory.

Figure 5 is a front view in elevation of a garment blocker embodying features of the present invention, it serving most effectively for the blocking, shaping and drying of stockings.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detailed View of an adjusting clamp utilized in conjunction with the garment blockers embodying features of the present invention, it being entirely shaped from the same wire from which the garment blocker is constructed.

Figure '7 is an enlarged detailed view of a modified adjusting clamp utilized in conjunction with the garment blockers embodying features of the present invention, it being entirely shaped from the same wire from which the garment blocker is constructed.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VIII-VIII of Figure 7.

The structure selected for illustration is not intended to serve as a limitation upon the scope or teachings of the invention, but is merely illustrative thereof. There may be considerable variations and adaptations of all or part of the teachings depending upon the dictates of commercial practice. The present embodiment comprises a sweater or waist shaped garment blocker or drier I9 bent or otherwise shaped from wire to present II-I2 through which the overall size of the garment form ID may be changed to conform with the desired size of the garment to be fitted thereover and dried thereon. Knitted garments are usually the type that require a drier or blocker to insure the initial shape and size thereof after washing or cleaning. In the present embodiment, the overlapping wires II-I2 are incorporated in the lower horizontal leg of the garment form I to provide for overall size adjustment by resort to a friction locking clamp l3.

The clamp I3 consists, in this instance, of a wire extension that is connected to the confronting wire I 2 by a plurality of convolutions I4 defining an eyelet or closed loop or wire receiving coils slightly larger in interior diameter than the wire I I which is freely slidable therethrough for displacement adjacent to the other confronting wire I2. The clamp I3 has an offset finger grasping portion I parallel to the confronting wire H and in axial alignment with the wire I2 from which it extends through the inwardly ofiset convolutions I4 defining the eyelet in registry with the wire II'. To enable the finger manipulating portion I5 of the clamp I3 to engage the wire II to establish frictional contact therewith, the finger grasping clamp portion I5 terminates in an angularly disposed hook I 6. that extends in the direction of the wire II in line with the eyelet It to engage the wire II to establish frictional contact therewith in the region of the eyelet Hi and the hook I6.

This precludes the slipping of the wire II relative to the wire I2, and maintains the earment form If} in its adjusted size insofar as the length of the lower horizontal leg thereof infiuences its overall size. To change the length of the lower horizontal leg of the garment form I3, the hook I6 is displaced from engagement with the wire il to permit free relative sliding movement between the confronting wires II-IZ until the hook I6 of the clamp I3 is again sprung into engagement with the wire II. The eyelet convolutionsM- freely slip along the wire I I when the finger manipulating clamping bar or portion I5 is at an angle to the wire II to bring the eyelet I4 in alignment therewith rather than at wedging angle with the hook it in operative engagement with the wire II.

The upper neck portion of the garment form Ill is, in this instance, provided with a self-expansible portion defined by substantially W- shaped intermediate leg I7 consisting of separate wires I8-I9 which are twisted together as at 2B for termination in a hanger hook 2I. The hanger hook 2| projects from the inclined legs l8-I9 of the self-expansible garment form leg I1, to always assume a central position for balanced anchoring support of the garment form It and the garment disposed thereover. In order to. render the intermediate top leg I! of the garadjacent overlapping and relatively sliding wires ment form I'll self-expansible, the converging legs I8-22 and I9-23 thereof are convolutely connected by spring coils 24-25 that normally cause the converging legs I8-22 and I9-23 to spread the garment form I0 outwardly to assume its maximum unrestrained size which will also be a factor of the relative extension of the confronting wires I-I2. This will tension the garment thereover to assume its normal size in that the strength of the coils 24-25 are only of such magnitude to tension the garment without stretching the interwoven threads beyond their normal size.

Should commercial practise so dictate, the selfeexpansible leg I! may be substituted by a friction clamp I3 (shown in dotted outline) similar to the lower horizontal leg of the garment form It to provide for the overall adjustment in size without any self-expanding influence. The garment form In is provided with detachably associated or permanently connected arm forms 26-23 which preferably though not essentially are provided with self-expanding spring coils 28-29 defining the free end extremities thereof. The spring coils 23-29 have integral divergent wire extensions 30-3I and 32-33, respectively, for connection with the garment form II]. The arm forms 26-27 have their divergent wire extensions 30-3I and 32-33 terminating in hooked ends 34-35 and 36-31 for detachable or permanent connection to the sides of the garment form II] in the upper or shoulder region thereof proximate to the upper connecting legs I! thereof.

So that the arm forms 26-21 may be effectively associated with the garment form Iii, the side legs 38-39 thereof are preferably though not essentially provided with inwardly offset open loops fill-4| which receive the end hooks 35-3l of the divergent arm members 3I-33 while the upper arm members 30-32 have their hooked ends 34-35 in en agement with the curved terminal ends 42-43 defined in the garment form I 0 between the top leg I! and the side legs 33-39 thereof. The spreading urge of the arm members 30-3I and 32-33. imparted by the end spring coils 28-29 maintains the arm hooks 34-33 in engagement with the upper terminal ends 42-43 of the garment form Ill. The spread of the upper ends 42-43 of the garment form II] is also contributed by corner spring coils 44-45 which connect the confronting legs II-I2 with the side legs 38,-3.9, respectively.

The same structure can be adapted to a skirt form 4,6v (Figure 2), wherein the bottom leg consists of the overlapping wires II'-I2 having the identical clamp I3 associated therewith to provide variations in overall size. The upper leg I1" is, in this instance, provided with self-expansive coils 24-25' extending from legs 22-23" which terminate in spring coils %2'-'"3 defining the upper ends; of the garment form side legs 3.8---39'. The self-.expansible leg H has, in this instance, a hanger hook 2 I formed thereon similar to the hook 25I provided on the sweater or waist garment, form It. The lower ends of the side legs; 38-3;9 are provided with spring coils 4.4-45. which contribute to the spread of the side legs 3,8"-3,9l" imparted by the upper spring coils 24'-2,5 and 42-43. Should commercial practise so dictate, he self-expanding elements.- comprisiI- g the. spring coils 24', 25, 42, 43., 4.4" and 4.5. maybe dispensed with and a friction clamp I3 substituted therefor to comprise an upper leg as shown dotted outline The trouser garment form 41 (Figure 3) is similarly constructed and embodies the friction clamp 53" along the upper horizontal leg proximate to the hip region of the garment formlfl. The self-expansible leg I1" is disposed, in this instance, along the cuff portion of the garment form ll, and may be provided with a hanger hook 2 l similar to the garment forms l and 45.

A glove form 48 (Figure 4) is similarly constructed and for purposes of this disclosure, the term garment is applicable to all types of clothes and accessories worn by individuals. No distinction is herein made between accessories and garments and these terms should be interchangeably construed as equivalent without departing from the scope or application of the concepts comprising the subject matter of the present invention. The glove form 48 has usual appendages such as the thumb 49 and the fingers 59, H, 52 and 53. The garment or accessory form 53 is shaped from wire to generally approximate the shape of a glove wherein the thumb and finger tips 54 are rendered self-expansible by means of forming closed loops 55 therein that extend inwardly from the split thumb and finger pansible thumb and finger portions or appendages to the garment or accessory form 48. This is highly desirable in order to enable fabric or leather gloves to be tensioned to their normal configuration during the drying thereof after washing or cleaning operations thereon. Should commercial practise so dictate, the split tips E i and the closed loops 55 may be substituted by spring coils similar to the spring coils 28-29 of the garment form arms 262'| disclosed and described in connection with the illustrated embodiment in Figure 1. As shown, the thumb 49 and fingers 5i], 5!, 52, and 53 are connected by fillets or curves 58 which may also be substituted by spring coils to provide greater expansibility in the thumb and finger region, should commercial practise so dictate.

The wrist portion 59 of the garment or accessory form 48 is provided with a self-expansible connecting leg fill similar to the connecting legs l7, l1 and ll" of the previously described garment forms It], 46, and 41, respectively. This involves the spring coils 6l62 terminating in legs 6364 that merge into the wrist portion 59 of the garment or accessory form 48.

In the garment accessory form 65 which re- 5 sembles a stocking in configuration, the foot portion 56 thereof has a split tip 61 that is rendered self-expansible by the inwardly extending closed loop 68 defined by the cross wires 69-10 similar in construction to the split thumb and finger tips 5 3 provided on the garment or accessory form 48 (Figure 4). This renders the toe expansible to fill out the foot 66 to conform with the size of the stocking foot disposed thereover. The upper or knee end of the stocking form 65 is provided with a self-expansible leg H conforming in construction to the leg 60 embodied on the garment or accessory form 48. The expansible legs 6illl preferably though not essentially terminate in hanger hooks l2 and 13 to conveniently support the garment forms 48 and 65 and the garments or accessories disposed thereover. This will provide for the full and proper tensioning of the stocking or other accessory or garment thereover. The side members 1415 defining the regular portion of the garment form 65, may be rendered accessible by overlapping confronting portions 16--11 and |8l9 which comprise part of friction clamps (Figures 5 and 7). The friction clamps 80 are similar in construction to the friction clamps l3, l3 and I3" illustrated in the previous embodiments (Figures 1 to 3 and 6).

In the friction clamp 80, however, the engaging hook 8|, conforming to the engaging hook [6 in the embodiment disclosed in Figure 6, has a curved finger grasping extension 82 which enables the more effective manipulation thereof to detach or attach the overlapping confronting wire members 16'l'| or 18-19 or any other adjacently disposed relatively sliding members for the purpose of maintaining them in any desired extensible relation. As shown, the clamp 80' can be applied to the garment or accessory form 48 by substituting it for the self-expanding leg 69 as illustrated in dotted outline in Figure 4. This is similarly applicable to the stocking form 65 in lieu of the self-expansible leg H. For that matter, the friction clamps l3 and 80 may be interchangeably used depending upon the dictates and preference established by commercial practise. It will be apparent, therefore, that inexpensive garment and/or accessory forms can be shaped from wire or other suitable materials to conform to different styles, shapes and sizes and to impart thereto tension wherever desirable in whole or in part to the garment or accessory or any appendages or portions thereof. This is more conducive to more effective shaping of the garment during the drying process to assume its or their initial shape.

While we have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, it must be understood that the invention is capable of considerable variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. We, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A garment form having appendage defining portions conforming to portions of a garment to be sized thereon, self-expansible spring means formed in said appendage portions to tension the corresponding portions of a garment thereon, and means sprung between confronting portions of said garment form to adjust the overall size of said garment form.

2. A garment form shaped from wire having adjacent overlapping relatively free sliding smooth portions to vary the overall size of said garment form, and means adjustably sprung on said overlapping wires to frictionally maintain said garment form in any adjusted size within the otherwise free sliding limit of said overlapping portions.

3. In a device for clamping overlapping extensible wires or the like comprising a wire clamping element, wire receiving coils convoluted on said wire clamping element to relatively guide said overlapping wires, and an adjustable hook on said clamping element for springing engagement of said overlapping wires against relative displacement.

4. In a device for clamping overlapping extensible wires or the like comprising a garment form, one of said extensible wires having a convoluted eyelet therein to slidably receive the other 7 of-said overlapping wires, and an adfiustable hook on said convoluted eyelet wire for springing engagement with said slidably guided wire *to tionally maintain said overlapping wires adjusted relation.

JAMES D. CONEY. CARL B. ALBERT.

REFERENCES CITED Number V UNITED STATES PATENTS v Name Date Anderson Jan. 28, 1902 Crawford Aug. 5, 1902 Twitchell June 12, 1906 Timberlake Jan. 21, 1908 Gustafson Jan. 4, 1910 Ringler Feb. 4, 1913 Bolek et a1 June 6, 1939 Grant June 26, 1945 The following references are of record in the 10 file of this patent: 

